sowers



Jan. 10, 1928.

P. SOMERS com CONTROLLED LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Ausz. 29. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Gnome nmntoz' PAUL stem: RS

P. SOMERS CQIN CONTROLLED LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Auz. 29, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 moeutoc PAUL SOMERS,

attozncu Patented Jan. 10, 1928.

PAUL sonmas or RICHMOND, vmemra.

COIN -CONTROLLED LIQUID-DISPEN SING APPARATUS.

Application filed August 29, 1925. Serial No. 53,273.

My invention has reference, in its broad aspect, to improvements in check or coin cont-rolled automatic liquid despensing apparatus, and more'particularly it is my purpose to provide an apparatus of this general character which may be used to dispense automatically certain quantities of gasolene, fuel oil or the like, in amounts commensurate with the value of the coin placed in my control device thereby adapting my apparatusto use in places, such as public highways,-roads, or the like, remote from service stations or other established retail markets. Furthermore, my dispensing apparatus may be used 'to vend soda water, soft drinks, 0'1- invfact any liquid, and it needs no attendant to operate it once the service line or storage tank has been filled. I am well aware that coin controlled dispensing devices have been heretofore used, but my apparatus differs from others in the art in that I provide a gravity actuated feed outlet or discharge element which automatically determines the quantity of liquid to be dispensed, and which is directly controllable through latch trip mechanism allected by a coin of a certain denomination inserted in the'apparatus by the purchaser. M apparatus may, furthermore, be refilled rom a service or storage tank or line without danger of loss in'liquid or derangement of the control apparatus, and in its construction and operation it combines to a high degree simplicity and durability, with accuracy and efliciency.

' The structural elements and other means employed to accomplish the above and other equally important objects and advantages will be hereinafter more fully described in detail and specifically pointed out in the claims appended hereunto and forming a part of this specification, but the scope of my invention; ma 1 only be determined by the limits defined in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing wherein is illustrated the preferred embodiment of my invention; 1

Figure 1 is a sectional side View of my dispensing assembly,

Figure 2 is a view of the dispensing tank half filled, and shows the position of the discharge pipe, 7

Figure 3 is a view of the dispensing tank when empty,

66 Figure 4 is a detail view of my refill pump and stop mechanism,

coin controlled release catch or trip for my discharge pipe.

In the several .views of the drawings wherein like charactersof reference designate like or similar parts i The numeral ('1) designates the hollow base of my apparatus, and (2) the hollow standard rising therefrom and on which is mounted my glass dispensing tank (3). T he tank (3) is provided with a suitable air vent (4), graduntions (5.) and a ball shaped capital (6).

)Vithin the hollow base 1) is mounted a rotary pump (7)1having a service connection (8) to a storage tank or pipe line (not shown), andthrough the instrumentality of gear connections (9) the pump is adapted to be actuated by a hand lever (10),'or by a;

small motor (not shown) if desired. The

pump (7) draws liquid, such as gasolene, from the storage tank and directs the same into an intake pipe (11). The intake pipe (11) extends into the, dispensing tank (3) and ,is formed with a downward bend (12) so that it discharges to the bottom of the tank, and mounted adjacent to the intake pipe- (11) is an overflow pipe (13) which returns any exress liquid to the storage tank or service line (not shown). The intake pipe and overflow pipe are preferably piliiiinted in a common cylindrical casing The discharge pipe (15) of my dispensing apparatus is mounted for free movement in a vertical path by a bearing (16) in the floor of the dis 'iensing tank and is provided with toothed elements (17) and (18) which are engaged respectively by the latch (19) of my coin control apparatus (20) and the gear wheel (21) of mypuinp (7). Consequently, when my pump is actuated'in the direction of the arrows in Figure (1) the pipe (15) is moved upwardly," and I.

have provided a finger (22) on the end of the toothed element (18) which engages-a trip lever (23) at the limit of upward movement of the pipe 15 to more the gear (21) out of engagement with the said element (18) when the pipe (15) is raised to therequired extent. To this end gear (21) isslidable on a pin (22) and is coupled with the lever (23) mounted on fixed pivot (935),;by a yoke (24) so that-when the finger 22 engages Iii? the lever said lever will be mo e against the tension of the spring {25) to move the yoke '24) and slide the gear (21} on the pin (22*) to disen age the from the toothed element {18 ,thus unwinding; the pump from the pipe and the normal limit of upward movement of the pipe (15) is at a level with the liquid in the (lispensing tank (3) when the some is full. A suitable sprirw ($3) returns the-lever (23) and gear (21 tortheir normal position as 'soon as the finger (22) is disengaged front the lever 23) upon downward movement of the pipe (15) as gasolcnc or the like is with drawn thereby reengaging gear (21) with element (18).

On .the lower end of the? dischar e pipe (15) I have afilxed a. counter-weig t (26) which functions to facilitate the movement of the pipe downwardly since-such downward movement is induced by gravity and a flexible hose (27 communicates-with the lower end of the distiller pipe to facilitate dispensing; this is the filling hose commonly found in-gasolene service stations.

As has been described, the discharge pipe (15) normally moves downwardly under the influence of its ownweight and of the weight (26), and naturally the-liquid in the tank (3) follows the level of the ipc (15) since it flows therein to be dispense As has heretofore been stated, the pump (7) is uncoupled from the pipe (15) by throwing outgear (2-1) from engagement with element- (18) as soon as the tank has been filled. The tank is then ready to be discharged,bnt in order to control such discharge 1- provide the latch (19) of my, coin control apparatus which some functions to prevent downward movement of the pipe (15) by engagement with toothed element (17). The latch (19) is formed with a shank (28) about which is a sprin (29) which normally tends to force the latch to enga 'e the teeth of the toothed element (17). E hgaging the latch shank (28) is a bell crank lever (30) the weighted arm (31) of which is disposed below a coin chute (32) so thata coin of a certain denomination placed in the chute will drop 11 n the arm (31) to depress the same and t erehy pull the latch from engagexhent with the toothed element (17) thereby permitting the pipe (15) to move downwardly until the coin falls from the arms (31) and passes into the box The limit of downward movement for each coin inserted is usually one notch and the sensibility of the latch 19 is adjusted to be afiected by the weight of a; coin of a certain denomination. A suitable housing (34) is provided for my coin control apparatus, and a slide plate I (35) l S dcslgned D0 govern the denominatzcn and fflfillll-llecoins therein. enifcstly thercinse re, the denomination coin will control the o ieration of my apparatus since the epparatns can he set to receive quarters, dimes, half-dollars or the like, any of which ill release (1%?) when t for that denomination permit the i o 15) to more downwardly to dispense the proper quantity of liquid. A counter weight (36) is provided wigli El cord (37} trained over :i pulley (38) and engaging; the pipe (15) to stabilize its operation.

For purposes of convenience 1 also provide "flan automatic change making device with my apparatus designated and having cup (46) from which proper change can be withdrawn with facility. The type oi change making apparatus to be used is conventional.

While the o' oration of my dispensing apparatus is believed to be clear from the foregoing, it is'pointed out that should the dispensing tank. (3) be empty it can be readily refilled by a urchaser and then emptied in part or in an depending upon the amount of liquid, such as gasolene, de-

sired. While in the foregoing, there has been illustrated and described such combination and arrangement of elements as constitute the preferred embodiments of my in volition, it is nevertheless desired to emphnsize the fact that interpretation of the invention should only be conclusive when made in the light of the suhjoincd claims.

1. A device of the type described, oomprising a liquid retaining receptacle, a discllfil' ffi pipe mountedior movement therewithin. toothed elements carried on opposi e sides of said pipe one above the other, means engaging one of said toothed elements for raising said discharge pipe within the rises-- o t e tacle to be disposed above the level liquid therein, mcalns engaging the other toothed element for holding said discharge pipe in a predetermined raised position. to comoination with a coin controlled device for releasing said latter means whereby said pipe may move downwardly under its own weight.

A device of the type described, comprising a liquid retaining receptacle, a movahlc gravity actuated liquid discharge pl8 mounted to extend within the receptac toothed elements carried by said discharge pipe, means engaging one, of said toothed elements for raising said discharge pipe within thereceptacle to be disposed above the level of the liquid therein, means engnging the other toothed element for holding said discharge pipe in a predetermined raised position. in combination with a com controlled device for releasing said latter means whereby said pipe may move downwardly of its own weight.

3. A device of the type described, comprising s liqnretaining receptacle, a porn dJvice for filling said receptacle, a discharge pipe movably mounted and extending into said receptacle for gravity actuation in a downward path, toothed elements carried by said discharge pipe, means operably con nected with the pump and engaging oneof said toothed elements 'for raising said dischar e pipe within the receptacle to be disposed therein, means forreleasing said pipe raisin "means, means engaging the other-toothe element for holding said discharge pipe in a predetermined raised position, in combination with a coin controlled device for releasing saidlatter means whereby said pipe may move downwardly of its own wei ht to permit the liquid in the receptacle to ow thereth'rough.

4. A device of the, type described, comprising a liguid retaining receptacle, a pump device for lling said receptacle, a discharge above the level of the liquid pumped pipe movably mounted and extending into i said receptacle for gravity actuation in a downward path, a pair of toothed elements -carried one above the other on opposite sides ed therein, means for releasing said pipe 4 raising means, means engagin' the other toothed element for holding said discharge pipe in a predetermined raised position, in

.combination with-a coin controlled device for releasing said latter means whereby said plpe may move downwardly of its own weight to permit the liquid in the receptacle to flow therethrougli.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my-signature hereunto PAUL SOMERS 

